West Suffolk College celebrates our SEND student’s achievements in the working environment

11 July 2019

The Supported Internship programme is designed for SEND students who are ready for the working environment but need that extra support. The programme offers a mix of time in work and at the college; the students gain work experience and employment skills and are supported throughout by coaches from the college that coach them when at work.

Some of our staff and our fantastic employers celebrated the achievements of some of the SEND students recently at the Supported Internship Employer Engagement Event.

The event was held to capture feedback from employers and to highlight some of the incredible work going on with the Supported Interns.

The Supported Internship programme is designed for SEND students who are ready for the working environment but need that extra support. The programme offers a mix of time in work and at the college; the students gain work experience and employment skills and are supported throughout by coaches from the college that coach them when at work.

Julie Hill, Customer Assistant at Marks & Spencer who work with the college on the programme said: “We really feel like this is such a worthwhile programme, not only does it benefit the student it benefits us as staff as we learn how to adapt to different skillsets and needs.”

Connie Gibbs, Employability Team Leader at the College said: “We are really trying to bridge the gap between employers and SEND students. Our employers have been absolutely fantastic and without them our students wouldn’t get the experience they so need; they cannot always get the academic qualifications that others can get so this work experience opportunity is vital for them. We would love to get more employers on board with us”

Marie Ryan, Class Teacher at Long Melford Primary School who also signed up to the programme said: “Our student has been great, he demonstrated strong people skills throughout his time with us and the support from Connie and Sandra at the College has been fantastic. It has been a real journey and one that we have been proud to be a part of.”